Just got Hexy Fiber 16 this morning. It's not as textured as I thought it would be.. It's a teeny bit rough, but I was expecting something a bit more pronounced then this. It feels like it has a few sides. Maybe it could bite, but i'm not sure. Either way, I'm in this one for a while.

Played yesterday with Polystar Turbo / Forten Sweet @ 44 lbs in my Prestige Mid LM. Switched back and forth with Head PT600 with Babolat XCel @ 50 lbs, night and day difference in terms of effort it takes to "grab" the ball and "roll" it to the other side (I mean super spinny shots).

Hopefully natural gut / poly hybrid will have comparable bite just because of how much and how fast natural gut mains slide on poly.

I was actually racking my brain towards Gamma Ruff and Dunlop Hexy Fibre. Both textured and seem to have decent bite, but I can't find alot of good reviews. Most people seem to use hexy fiber as a cross, which I can't totally understand, because its a multi, which means it notches and frays faster AND its textured so wouldnt it decrease the main's "snapping" potential?

Either way, I really don't want to give up the bite. It's even tougher that BHBR comes out to 5.50 a set in reel and dunlop hexy comes out as 6, but with probably a ton less lasting playability.

Ruff is fun to play with if someone else is stringing it. Hexyfiber is a monster disappointment. I found it very low powered and just blegh. Didn't see any benefits to playing with it other than the price

I've tried everything in every combination and still like syn gut the best for price and feel. My arm is a little sore after hitting the crap out of the ball for hours so a little softness is welcomed. Besides, $3 a set for Forten Sweet or Pro Supex Titan is great.

I am facing the same dilemma but for a different reason. I use bhbr 17 full bed in my Yonex rdis 200 lite and I am starting to have wrist and elbow pain. Also I practiced serves for an hour Sunday and my shoulder has been really sore the past couple of days. I know bhbr is on the softer side for a poly but I guess I might need to move to a multi. I was using ogsm 17 prior to this and was getting really annoyed by the trampoline effect and the fact that my strings looked like a plate of noodles after every rally. I switched to bhbr and wow!! It is incredible the pace, depth and spin I get with it.

I got back into tennis this summer after 12 or so years and have recently started playing daily. It could be that my strokes are improved, but I am really bummed that my arm doesnt like bhbr. Maybe I'll need to improve my arm strength and stroke form before using it full time?

maybe you just need a new bed? If it's dead its gonna hurt your arm. I played with a dead bed of cyberflash and it hurts man lol.

Poly is not a string you should leave until it pops. Synthetic, multi, and gut yes. Poly, Never.

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I dont think its that. The bed still feels pretty lively and I have been playing on this current string job for 10-12 hours maybe. How often do you restring bhbr?

I made the mistake of experimenting with a 1hbh for a couple of days last week. That made the elbow pain much worse. I may just need to take a couple of days off and see if the soreness settles down. Although the weather is awesome now! Really want to be out there and make the most of what's left of this summer.

I dont think its that. The bed still feels pretty lively and I have been playing on this current string job for 10-12 hours maybe. How often do you restring bhbr?

I made the mistake of experimenting with a 1hbh for a couple of days last week. That made the elbow pain much worse. I may just need to take a couple of days off and see if the soreness settles down. Although the weather is awesome now! Really want to be out there and make the most of what's left of this summer.

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Well most people here say around 10 hours is the max playability for average level players. I'd cut it out to be sure, but bhbr 17 is really soft and 17 guage tends to die a tiny bit quicker. When a string goes dead it doesn't always mean it feels stiffer. Take your health seriously over equipment.

Just hybrid with gut mains and a soft poly for the crosses. If TE starts acting up drop the poly for a muti for a week or two then switch back when you can.

I'm in the same boat as you. I tried to get rid of the poly but I NEED it for the spin. All gut is way too powerful and All multi ends up being dead feeling if I string it up around 60 to keep the power down. Gut is WAY more durable than people make it out to be. In fact, its more durable than any multi I've found, and some polys.

The only time its not durable is when it comes to shear forces. If you shank balls a lot or tend to hit near the frame then gut isn't for you.... but then again you aren't good enough where the added spin of poly is for you either under that scenario

It is not just how much spin you can put on the ball, but also what effort it takes. For example, running forehands rely on the bite from the strings, super hard to hit them offensively with full multi stringbed.

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i find a flat smack on a running forehand to be effective with loosey goosey multis.

Sometimes I feel like a lot of us on this forum rely too much on our tools to get the job done. Let us not forget that spin generation comes firstly from proper technique.

I'm not an amazing tennis player, but I can generate just as much spin with multi as I can with poly. I don't know if its an illusion or a fact that its a tad easier to generate spin with a textured poly, but judging by my own skill level, I'd say its an illusion.

when I play with multi, I have no problems generating spin. so if that was my only criterion, I wouldn't select poly for that purpose.

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when I play with multi, I have no problems generating spin.................

Reel of PPA is overpriced, you will save like $10 max, and it will take you quite some time to go through the reel - you will grow tired of PPA before you finish it. It is a little subdued in feel and power, and soon you might want something more exciting to tickle your senses.

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PPA is a very ordinary, nothing special string. It used to be called Prince Synthetic multifilament.

Hmmm...interesting. Is PPA a replacement for Prince Synthetic Gut Multifilament? Because I don't see PSGM on the TW Prince strings page anymore. Is it discontinued? If so, that would be a real shame as PSGM is probably my favorite multi. It's very powerful, resilient, comfortable, and cheap at the same time.

That's OK. I'm the one hitting with them, so if I don't like them, who cares who else likes em? I usually don't agree with the majority of your thoughts on multi's anyway, so it doesn't surprise me that you like PPA at all. Personally I would rather spend a couple more dollars on something like NXT Tour, Xcel or Xone, but for around 10 bucks it's OK, but like I said..IMO, nothing special. With strings, like most anything else, you get what you pay for. There's a reason Prince prices it at $7.

I am facing the same dilemma but for a different reason. I use bhbr 17 full bed in my Yonex rdis 200 lite and I am starting to have wrist and elbow pain. Also I practiced serves for an hour Sunday and my shoulder has been really sore the past couple of days. I know bhbr is on the softer side for a poly but I guess I might need to move to a multi. I was using ogsm 17 prior to this and was getting really annoyed by the trampoline effect and the fact that my strings looked like a plate of noodles after every rally. I switched to bhbr and wow!! It is incredible the pace, depth and spin I get with it.

I got back into tennis this summer after 12 or so years and have recently started playing daily. It could be that my strokes are improved, but I am really bummed that my arm doesnt like bhbr. Maybe I'll need to improve my arm strength and stroke form before using it full time?

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I would guess that your pain is the result of overuse. You don't just take 12 years off, then go back to playing daily, practicing serves for an hour, etc. Your body has to work up to that work load, just like if you had taken up , say, distance running. What you're doing is equivalent to saying, ok I ran track back in college, so I will just start out training 75 miles a week like I did back then., You would break down in no time.

BHBR is great string, but after 10-12 hurs, it is probably about shot unless you are a pusher.

No, I love poly. I'm an old school player. I played exclusively with syn gut for a long time, and I don't miss it at all. Syn gut feels great when fresh, but if you are a big hitter or have an open pattern frame, it gets sloppy fast, then breaks or is unuseable anyway. Pain in the neck.

If you're using a tweener or open pattern mid+, poly is almost a necessity for control and longevity.

I didn't understand your OP. If you like BHBR , why would you ever get rid of it? Because someone said you need to be 4.5+? Hogwash. If you can spin the ball enough to tell the difference, you are officially allowed to be in the poly club, and Brad Gilbert can bite me if he doesn't like it.

You said something about using a Rebel. I noticed the Rebel 95 has a tight pattern. The Bryans apparently use 18 gauge poly. I would think if you are using a tight pattern 95 inch frame that a fullbed of BHBR might be a bit stiff. Maybe try using syn gut in the crosses. Either that or go low on the tension.

BHBR is kind of addictive, and I can't imagine going to syn gut or a multi after getting used to it.

That's OK. I'm the one hitting with them, so if I don't like them, who cares who else likes em? I usually don't agree with the majority of your thoughts on multi's anyway, so it doesn't surprise me that you like PPA at all. Personally I would rather spend a couple more dollars on something like NXT Tour, Xcel or Xone, but for around 10 bucks it's OK, but like I said..IMO, nothing special. With strings, like most anything else, you get what you pay for. There's a reason Prince prices it at $7.

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I'm guessing that I could take Tournament Nylon and put it in a shiny package with a high price tag and you would love it.

I'm guessing that I could take Tournament Nylon and put it in a shiny package with a high price tag and you would love it.

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Now you're just being silly. Most prices are determined by materials, quality, construction, cost, labor, time, supply/demand etc. If PPA was the "second coming" like you often tout it, wouldn't it be flying off the shelves with a high demand and wouldn't Prince realize they could make a higher profit margin on it if they wanted to? It USED to be over $12 I believe and now it's down to $7, so apparantly it's not selling that great for Prince. You don't lower prices unless you HAVE TO.

Of course there are exceptions to every rule and the "you get what you pay for" axiom is no different.

^So, if I consider your thoughts, when Seymour Duncan sells all-time favourite pair of pickups SH4/2 at 124€ for both, it's because it doesn't sell? You're being silly too. It isn't either black or white. For both you and Mikeler. And yeah, given what I read, you're indeed in the minority about PPA. You can browse this forum looking for advices if you don't think so. The string may not be popular, but it doesn't mean it is just "average". Popularity doesn't always equal successful selling. Now you don't like it, but it's you, and it's fine. But we may not agree here.

Now you're just being silly. Most prices are determined by materials, quality, construction, cost, labor, time, supply/demand etc. If PPA was the "second coming" like you often tout it, wouldn't it be flying off the shelves with a high demand and wouldn't Prince realize they could make a higher profit margin on it if they wanted to? It USED to be over $12 I believe and now it's down to $7, so apparantly it's not selling that great for Prince. You don't lower prices unless you HAVE TO.

Of course there are exceptions to every rule and the "you get what you pay for" axiom is no different.

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Then there are companies that simply put a huge markup on their product and try to tout them as premium. You are their perfect customer!

^So, if I consider your thoughts, when Seymour Duncan sells all-time favourite pair of pickups SH4/2 at 124€ for both, it's because it doesn't sell? You're being silly too. It isn't either black or white. For both you and Mikeler. And yeah, given what I read, you're indeed in the minority about PPA. You can browse this forum looking for advices if you don't think so. The string may not be popular, but it doesn't mean it is just "average". Popularity doesn't always equal successful selling. Now you don't like it, but it's you, and it's fine. But we may not agree here.

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I guess you missed the part where I said exactly that?

Look, I would LOVE to like a $7 multi, since I am a multi mains user.
I tried it several times and actually like PPA as a cross string, since it's similar to most synguts. I just don't think it's special in a full job. I could care less if the entire population of this forum thinks it's the sh*t.

Of course "popularity" doesn't mean everything, especially with regards to tennis strings, which are a very PERSONEL choice. You try it and if you like it, you use it. If you don't, you try some more. Mikeler seems to want to drill it into my head that my opinion must be faulty because I don't like PPA and he and his buddies do. Does that really matter to me?

Well, then I wonder why you'd come out to criticize the string if you say it's personal. So you leave to other people to disagree. No need to say "it doesn't sell" or "it's the same string but painted black". You don't like it, we understood perfectly, thank you. And before you posted, mind that Mikeler didn't went for posts and posts long about it. Although his Ad Hominem was unnecessary.

Getting off poly bandwagon?If for you works, good.
For me you can't imagine how powerful is my forehand with the right string and how bad it is with the wrong string. With the same, right hitting style.

Look, I would LOVE to like a $7 multi, since I am a multi mains user.
I tried it several times and actually like PPA as a cross string, since it's similar to most synguts. I just don't think it's special in a full job. I could care less if the entire population of this forum thinks it's the sh*t.

Of course "popularity" doesn't mean everything, especially with regards to tennis strings, which are a very PERSONEL choice. You try it and if you like it, you use it. If you don't, you try some more. Mikeler seems to want to drill it into my head that my opinion must be faulty because I don't like PPA and he and his buddies do. Does that really matter to me?

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I was simply pointing out you have the minority opinion on TTW with regards to PPA. If you are going to capitalize an entire word, make sure you spell it right next time.

Look, I would LOVE to like a $7 multi, since I am a multi mains user.
I tried it several times and actually like PPA as a cross string, since it's similar to most synguts. I just don't think it's special in a full job. I could care less if the entire population of this forum thinks it's the sh*t.

Of course "popularity" doesn't mean everything, especially with regards to tennis strings, which are a very PERSONEL choice. You try it and if you like it, you use it. If you don't, you try some more. Mikeler seems to want to drill it into my head that my opinion must be faulty because I don't like PPA and he and his buddies do. Does that really matter to me?

All I can say is deja vu or +2 on this as I do share some of these sentiments, which is why I'm in an experimental mood myself.

My next set up will be be poly/multi - Black5Edge crossed with Genesis Thunderblast. Then, if I'm feeling brave LOL, I'm going to take a proper look at full syn gut job - TF's TGV string in my TFight.

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Rossy....TGV is a multi
If you want to try a nice full syngut job, try Genesis Blizzard.

B5E crossed with multi, will feel a little softer and a little more powerful than full poly, but it won't be as "different" as you might expect, since the mains really dictate most of the stringbed's overall feel. You should try it the other way around with the multi in the mains and the poly in the cross. THAT will be substantially "different" from your full poly. Personally, I prefer multi/poly to full syngut. Full syngut just moves all over the place.

Rossy....TGV is a multi
If you want to try a nice full syngut job, try Genesis Blizzard.

B5E crossed with multi, will feel a little softer and a little more powerful than full poly, but it won't be as "different" as you might expect, since the mains really dictate most of the stringbed's overall feel. You should try it the other way around with the multi in the mains and the poly in the cross. THAT will be substantially "different" from your full poly. Personally, I prefer multi/poly to full syngut. Full syngut just moves all over the place.

I've honestly tried to go cold turkey, but I just can't do it. I have to use poly. When I go full syn gut, I lose matches. My w/l ratio with syn gut is around .25. With poly its .85. Whether it's bad for me or not, at this point in my tennis playing experience, winning is more important than losing. But I'm just one data point on a long line of other points. No one should use my experience as their barometer.

I think we should ban polys. It gives too much advantages to baseliners and
makes this game less interesting, IMHO.

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Shall we also go back to using wooden racquets? Polyester strings are amazing for the game. Tennis is now more of a thinking man's sport than it ever was before, despite the fact that the ball moves a lot faster now. Also more important now is fitness. I don't see how you can dislike fewer unforced errors, more fitness, longer points, and faster moving tennis balls. That's just me, though.

Shall we also go back to using wooden racquets? Polyester strings are amazing for the game. Tennis is now more of a thinking man's sport than it ever was before, despite the fact that the ball moves a lot faster now. Also more important now is fitness. I don't see how you can dislike fewer unforced errors, more fitness, longer points, and faster moving tennis balls. That's just me, though.

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Boy, do you have that backwards.

There's a very good reason why people call it "mindless baseline bashing".

My first poly experiment was with OGSM/Silverstring hybrid at 55/52lb. Felt great, for a few hours, then no good. Tried lowering tension a bit, and using OGSM in mains, didn't like it. Then tried full bed of Silverstring at 52. By this time my elbow started hurting a bit (and I have a elbow friendly racket). However, I did notice that I adjusted my swing to swing more relaxed and faster, and let the racket take more of the impact, because forcing the ball didn't feel comfortable. Anyway, decided to try a softer more powerful main string, BHB7, with Silverstring cross. At first 54/52lb, which still felt a bit harsh, then 52/48, which felt much better, especially after a few hours. I will go down a few more lbs I think (trying 50/46 now, with pre-stretch). Anyway, I found a setup I really like.

I can definitely say that my strokes have improved significantly in the process, it really pushed me to a higher level (I was able to win my 4.0 matches with progressively more confidence). With poly, I just hate pushing the ball back a lot more than I did with multi, and that's a good thing. I can't really say that poly lasts a lot less than multi, I felt that multi would become hard to control after a 12-16 hrs, and while poly has that too, it's not as bad, since it maintains spin for a while longer. With lower tension and using BHB7 mains, I don't feel the pain either (better strokes have contributed too in this regard). Overall, I am happy I made the switch, and hopefully, I won't regret it in the long run.

There's a very good reason why people call it "mindless baseline bashing".

And, yes, we should go back to wood racquets.

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Well, I haven't seen James Blake win very many majors, so you're wrong. And to say mindless about any pro, whose skill level you are nowhere near, and who could probably beast you with a wooden racquet (no offense) shows foolishness on your part. If they're so "mindless" and just love to "bash" the ball, then why don't you, the thinking man and savior of the sport of tennis, step out onto Arthur Ashe Stadium court and beat them all?